Combustion regulator and economizer



Dec. 20, 1927.

A. JOHNSON COMBUSTION REGULATOR AND ECONOMIZER Filed Feb. 1, 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

' A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 20, 1927.

A. JOHNSQN C OMBUSTION REGULATOR AND ECONOMIZER Filed Feb. 1, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

A. JOHNSON COMBUSTION REGULATOR AND ECONOMIZER Filed Feb. 1, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet s IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,401

- A. JOHNSON COMBUSTION REGULATOR AND ECONOMIZER Filed Feb. 1, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 20, 1927.

UNITED STA TES PATENT OFFICE. 1

ALBERT JOHNSO1\T,,OF ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA.

COMBUSTION REGULATOR AND ECONOMIZER.

Application filed February in the draft control for locomotives de scribed and claimec. inmy co-pending application Serial No. 125,3t5, filed July 28, 1926.

.By the use of my new improvement, means are afforded for supplying an admixture of air for combustion which will maintain the fire in synchronism with the furnace requirements under varying loads.

It is primarily designed to be used in con nection with oil burning locomotives and mechanically fired locomotives using gaseous, liquid or solid fuel, which preferred embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 1; yet it may also be adapted to use on stationary and marine boilers as well.

By its use three stages of combustion of heat varying intensity for consuming the en tire gases, thus providing smokeless combustion, are attained.

Auxiliary air is admitted through the tire door at the front and forced to pass over the entire fuel bed. The volume of air so admitted is always under theconvenient control of the fireman; a feature that is im-' portant in the promotion of fuel economy as excess air is verywasteful.

For burning oi'l, high moisture or lowvolatile coals, assuring high ratings and high ef ficiency, it is necessary to have a proper admixture of air with the gases.

In order to accomplish this it has been found advantageous to temper the air intermingling with the initial ignited gases of the furnace, just adding to this combustion enough secondary air to unite with the noncombustibles in producing perfect combustion; this secondary air being introduced through a compartment whereby the air can rents produce an agitation of the gases in the upper portion of the boiler circulating them through the super-heater flues thereby assuring better steaming, dryer superheated steam; contingent on these advantages being a saving of fuel and water, thus permitting the hauling of heavier loads at anaximum efliciency. i r i The greatest loss which occurs during the process of steam generation is thatdue to the heat carried away by the escaping fluegases.

In applicants device preheated air is drawn through the furnace by induced draft and the hot gases from the furnace pass 1,;1927. Serial No. 165,139.

through this strata. Above the preheated air passes secondary air which is directed into the furnace through vanes producing an agitation of the hot'gas'es in the top of the .rurnace. 7

Because of the fact that streams of preheated air and secondary air alternate in mixing with the furnace gases a graduated intensity of heat is obtained. This principle of cross flow of the secondary 'air and tern per-ed air with the furnace gases producing a complete intermixing of both gas and air results in a most etlective burning. In order to more clearly describe my invention, reference is made. to the accompanving drawings in which I N Fi 1 is a longitudinal cross sectionof a typical locomotive showing a preferred embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the fire door and door frame.

Fig. 4 is a section taken through the center of the fire door showing a part of the boiler water leg, and one arrangement of air. control.

Fig. 5 is a similar section showing another arrangement of air control,

' Fig. 6 is a perspective View showing the door'frame and combustion regulator when viewed from the lnside of the furnace.

Fig. 7 IS a perspective v ew of the combustion regulator looking toward the inside of the'jfurnace showing the arrangementof air vanes.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken through the center of Fig. 9 showing a modification of the regulator from that shown in Figures 4' and 5. r

Fig." 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of the combustion regulator from that shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wherein similar reference cha acters prevailthroughout the several views the numeral 1 represents a frame to which is hingedly mounted with a hinge pin 36, a swinging door frame 2. Onto the door frame 2 is cast lugs 35 and 36 for mounting the same to hinge pin 36.

Covering the opening of this door frame is a door 3 with openings 6 and 7 therein. To

said door is cast lugs'3 1 and 38 for 'hingedly mounting the door'to hinge p'in'36. A handle 83 is secured to a latch also cast on to the door frame 2. v

The door 3 has a double purpose, first that of a safety door for closing the furnace and second for regulating the air passing through the openings 6 and 7, the entire door opening being relied upon for admitting air in emergency cases. i

Hingedly mounted at 40 and 39 in said door 3 are top and bottom doors 4and 5. These doors are provided for admitting the air through openings 6 and 7 thus channeling the admitted air in separate ducts. Sometimes it is necessary to have both doors open as shown in Fig. 4, again only one, as.

shown in Fig. 5.

When only one door is open it is usually the lower door as shown in Fig. 5. This allows air tempered air to be introduced into the furnace as indicated by arrow 26 which is a decided advantage on oil fired locomotives, and can be adjustedto meet the varying conditions. Above the preheated air secondary air is admitted as indicated by arrow 25.

I The diversion of the introduced air is accomplished by a battle plate 18 which is adjustable and supported by a deflector plate 8. The deflector plate 8 carries a refractory plate 9 which projects into the furnace 49, see Fig. 1. This plate 8 eliminates the unburnt gases from being carried through the center of the boiler out through the petticoat pipe 48 by the induced draft 47. I

The deflector plate is also adjustable being pivotally mounted to the door frame 2 as at 12. The adjustability of this plate is made by lugs projecting from the pivoted point 12 terminating at 13 into which is hingedly fastened a turnbuckle 14, one end of the turnbuckle 15 being pivotally mounted to the door frame'2 by lugs 48, 43 and se cured with pin 44, see Fig. 7. This plate can also be relied upon to close the furnace in the absence of an outer door such as 3.

, The baffle plate 18 is hingedly mounted at 19 onto a lug 22 projecting from the deflector plate 8; connecting with a similar lug 21 projecting from bafiie plate 18. I

The adjustability of the baflle plate 18 is provided for by a threaded bolt 17 pivotally connected to the deflector plate 8 as at 11 carrying a threaded member 16, grooved into the baffle plate 18. Either plate can bev adjusted independently or conjointly with the other.

Vanes 41 and 42 are fastened to the baffle plate 18, see Figures 4, 5 and 7 for producing an agitation of the air with the gases in the top of the furnace.

In order to inspect the condition of the fire peek holes 10, and 80 are provided in their respective plates the peek hole being covered with an adjustable shutter 29. c

It has been found advisable to institute a plurality of holes 23 and 24 in the top and bottom doors respectively for admitting air at all times. This provides for better cornbustion and for building up the furnace fire before the locomotive gets under way.

The door 3 in the door frame 2 can be opened and closed integrally. This provides for easy access to the boiler furnace and for cleaning and repairs.

A typical installation of applieants device is shown in Fig. 1. The parts already described being adapted to be installed in a typical locomotive having a fire box 49 into which projects the oil burner 45; Air inlet door 46 and the water 28 contained within the water leg 27 forming the rear of the boiler;

The general distribution of the heated gases are indicated by the numerous arrows. it will be observed they circulate through the upper tubes ii'hich are the superl1eater tubes increasing the quality of the superheated steam as described in my copending application hereinbefore referred to. As hereinbefore stated with the induced draft as at 47 into the petticoat pipe 48 and with the fire door open a suction was produced and defined through the center of the boiler which prevented the hot gases from circulating througl'leut the shell and especially through the upper flues 57 containing the super-heater units 58 which contain the super-heated steam as contrasted with the results obtained by using applicants improved device wherein the deflector plate in conjunction with the bafiie plate produces a syn chronized heat easily obtained by the simple adjusting of said plates to meet the varying requirements, thereby assuring more perfect combust on as well as insuring'a better quality of super-heated steam.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9 it was thought advisable to incorporate a modification which might be advantageous and within the scope of the invention. In Fig. 7 a skirt 50, 50 is fastened to the deflector plate 8 to keep the preheated air from spreading too quickly after its introduction into'the furnace to close up the opening between the baffle plate 18 and deflector plate 8 thus providing arrangement as shown in F 9.

Herethe air tempered air finds egress 'into the furi'iace through ports 51 and through tubes 53, in plate. 54 which is first di verted rearwardly enticing the flames also in that direction and producing a more uniform intensity throughoutthefire box. A rib 55 across the ring 2 forms a union with plate 54in preventing the escape 'of the airfrom the funnel shaped apron in conjunction with plate 56 integral therewith. Flanges 52 on the sides thereof also prevent the escape of the air at the sides; Arrows 26 again typify the direction of the air "tempered air while arrow 25 in Fig. 8 indicates the direction of the secondary air. I

fl Vhile there has been illustrated andde scribed apreierred form of apparatus, it is an 7 V i an to be understood thatvariations and modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims and which do not depart from the spirit of theinv'ention may be redoor adapted to swing outwardly therefrom,

said door having air inlets in the top and bottom thereof, doors hingedly mounted to :wing on aforesaid door for closing said air inlets, a deflector plate pivotally mounted in the bottom of aforesaid door frame and inclined upwardly therewith, adjustable means connecting said deflector plate to said door frame, a bafiie carried by said deflector plate and adjustable means between said deflector plate and said baffle for changing the angle of inclination therewith.

2. "lie combination with a furnace containing an opening thereto, a frame in the opening and a door frame in said frame, a door carried by said frame having air inlets therein, means for opening and closing said air inlets, a plurality of air ports communicating with said air inlets, pivotally mounted to the bottom of aforesaid door frame, means for tilting said plates at an angle with the vertical of said door frame, a baffle plate mounted on said deflector plate and adjustable means for changing the inclination of said baflie plate and said deflector plate.

In combination with the fire box of a' locomotive and a fire door opening therein,

of an air deflecting plate pivotally connected,

at the lower edge inside of said door and inclined upwardly therewith, adjustable means for varying the. angle of inclination of said plate with said door opening; a pivoted baffie plate carried by'said air deflecting plate and means for adjusting said baffle plate with said deflecting plate whereby to regulate the inflow of air therebetween.

i. A combustion regulator and economizer comprising a frame, a shell ring carried in the frame, a door hingedly mounted to said shell ring containing air inlets, means for opening and closing said air inlets, an inclined member pivotally connected at its lower edge inside said shell ring, adjustable means for varying the angle of inclination thereof, a baffle member pivotally and adjiistably connected to said inclined member, means for varying the inflow of air between said inclined member and said baflle member from one of aforesaid air inlets and means for regulating the inflow of air above said baffle member from the other of said air inlets.

5. A combustion regulator and economizer comprising a frame, a shell ring carried in openings aforementioned,

a deflector plate the frame, a door hingedly mounted to said shell ring containing an, upper and lower air inlet, an inclined member pivotally connected at its lower edge inside said shell ring, adjustable means for varying the angle of inclination'thereof, a hood plate cooperating with said inclined member for regulating the inflow of air therebetween, doors to close the upper and lower air inlet said lower door when opened to allow air to be admitted between said hood plate and said inclined member whereby to pro-heat and regulate the inflow of said air in flowing therebetween. i

6. The substance contained in claim 5 and before mixing with the air admitted through said upper air inlet.

7 A combustion regulator and econoinizer comprising a frame, a shell ring to which is hingedly mounted a'door having an upper and lower door hingedly mounted thereon, said combination of 'doors adapted to swing with said shell ring upon aforesaid frame, an inclined member pivotally connected at its lower edge inside said door frame Etl'ltliDCllIlGCl upwardly and inwardly therewith, an adjustable member pivotally connected to the upper portion of said inclined member and projecting downwardly and outwardly from said inclined member, means for adjusting one with the other, whereby to regulate the inflow of air therebetween. I

8. In a combustion regulator and economizer of the class described, in combination with the fire box of a locomotive a door enclosure, comprising a door frame hingedly mounted within a frame, and adapted to swing freely therefrom, an inclined member pivotally connected at its lower edges inside .said'door frame, and adapted to enclose the inside portion of said door enclosure, a door having upper and lower air inlets with individual doors opening therefrom hingedly mounted to said door frame, an inclined baflie plate pivotally mounted to aforesaid inclined member, means for adjusting said inclined baffle plate with said inclined mem ber whereby to regulate the air admitted to said fire box through aforesaid upper and lower air inlets.

9. In a locomotive fire box in combination with a petticoat pipe having an induced draft theretlirough at its front end, of a combustion regulator and economizer comprising a frame, a shell ring hingedly mounted to swing inand out of said frame, a doorhingedly mounted on said shell ring, a deflector plate adjustably connected at its lower edge to the innermost part of said shell ring and normally held in an upwardly inclined position to divert the draft admitted through said door toward the upper part of said fire box and away from the defined path it' l) lit) of travel of the draft which is influenced by said induceddraft through said petticoat pipe, an intermediate baffle plate pivotally connected to the upper part of said deflector plate and adapted to be inclined downward ly with said deflector plate to regulate the inflow of air through said door therebetween, sa-id admitted air being preheated before its admixture with gases of said fire box, means for admitting secondary air above said intermediate 'baflie plate to mix with said preheated air and means for producing an agitation of the gases with the draft so admitted.

10. The combination with a furnace having a fire box and fines for receiving heat currents from said fire box in conjunction with an induced draftn'ieans forward of said fines, which delines a path for the draft of the air therethrough. of an air inlet means communicating with said fire box having a shell ring, a frame hinged to said shell ring and doors hinged to said frame, each independently and collectively from said fire box top and-bottom openings in said frame, a foldable member, one leaf of which is hingedly and tillably mounted to the innermost edge of aforesaid shell ring and swingable therewith, whereby to divert the air inletted in said fire box from the defined path influenced by said induced draft, the other leaf of said foldable mem her being inclined downwardly and outwardly therefrom and adapted to portion the openable flow of air inflowing through aforesaid bottom opening therebetween, said inflowing air being preheated before admixture with air inflowing through aforesaid top opening and above said rearwardly inclined member, whereby from said combination to spread and direct a more intense heat throu hout mounted to the innermost lower edge of aforesaid shell ring and projecting within said lire box, said inclined member being normally disposed at an angle with the opening in said shell ring, the same being adapted to close said opening when aforesaid doors remain opened, a rearwardly inclined plate pivotally mounted to said inclined member, means for varying the angle of inclination of said r-earwardly inclined plate with said inclined member, whereby to regulate the air inflowing from aforesaid-lower opening therebetween and means for varying theinclination of said inclined member whereby to regulate the air inflowing through aforesaid upper opening and means for agitating the aircurrents so admitted.

In testimony whereof, Ialfix my signature.

ALBERT JOHNSON. 

